Historical Acadian Village in West Pubnico a community success

WEST PUBNICO - Community support is as impressive as the view at Le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse (the Historical Acadien Village) in West Pubnico.

Beautiful views, no matter which way you turn, at the Historical Acadien Village in West Pubnico.

During a recent walkabout of the property, manager Roger D’Entremont talked about how grateful he is to residents for the success of the operation.

Sherman d’Entremont removes excess putty from the bottom of a boat under construction.

“We have about 150 names that we can call at any time for anything,” he said.

Sherman d’Entremont removes excess putty from the bottom of a boat under construction.

“It could be to come clean dishes. We had volunteers that came and sewed a quilt for us here this summer; they’d come in the afternoon and have a little quilting party. We sold that quilt for the society for $1,100 in two hours.

The site’s newest addition – a root cellar.

“Isn’t that community support? It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Four festivals are held annually in addition to other events at the village: rhubarb in June, strawberry in July, blueberry in August and harvest on Sept. 21.

Beautiful views, no matter which way you turn, at the Historical Acadien Village in West Pubnico.

Local volunteers bake all of the dishes for these occasions in addition to many others.

“The harvest festival draws between 150-200. It’s for the community as well as the visitors. It brings the community together,” said d’Entremont.

A favourite resident at the Historical Acadien Village in West Pubnico.

“We here are a community centre as well as a tourist attraction. We take pride in that.”

A wine tasting and food pairing event on Oct. 6 is sold out. The popular Haunted Village happens Oct. 20 and 21 – with sets and costumes created by volunteers and actors – you guessed it – from the community.

Mother and calf, content in the field at the Historical Acadien Village in West Pubnico.

This year a summer camp for children was held for the first time. Youth aged 9-12 spent a week speaking French, were dressed in period costume and learned what life was like in the early 1800s for children.

A coordinator supervised the five-day camp and activities were held each day – including gathering wood for the fire and washing clothes. The camp was held for eight weeks.

Le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse manager Roger D’Entremont at the entrance to the site’s newest addition – a root cellar.

“It was such an incredible success. The board has already said we have to continue that next year,” said d’Entremont.

“Children were saying they had fun the whole time and never thought about using their phone all day.”

Although the Haunted Village completes the scheduled lineup of events, sledding parties for the children are sometimes held in the winter when the weather cooperates.

Beautiful views, no matter which way you turn, at the Historical Acadien Village in West Pubnico.